PHILADELPHIA — The national touring company of “I Love Lucy Live On Stage” plays the Merriam Theatre for a special holiday week run which continues Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

This “Lucy” takes audience members back to 1952 as members of the Desilu Playhouse studio audience where they await the filming of two hilarious and oh-so-familiar “I Love Lucy television episodes, “The Benefit” and “Lucy Has Her Eyes Examined.”

A charming host entertains and enlightens the crowd to the behind-the-scenes filming process of a brand new thing called “television,” the Crystaltone Singers perform advertising jingles in perfect ‘50s style harmony and the sidesplitting antics of America’s favorite foursome – Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel – are presented live on stage and in color for the very first time.

The iconic hit sitcom “I Love Lucy” originally aired on CBS from 1951-1957 for a total of six seasons and 179 episodes and is widely considered to be one of the most popular programs in the history of television. Due in no small part to its relatable characters, sharp comedic writing and Lucille Ball’s signature zany charm, the show continues to endear new audiences with every passing generation. The program was a technical trailblazer, pioneering the multi-camera shooting technique (still employed by the majority of traditional sitcoms to this day) and the use of 35mm film for the capture of a weekly, 30-minute scripted television program (which made possible the re-airing of episodes at a later date, what we now know as “reruns”).

Tickets ranging from $25 to $75 are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 215-731-3333, online at kimmelcenter.org/broadway, at the Kimmel Center box office, Broad & Spruce streets, (open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) or at the Merriam Theater box office, 250 S. Broad Street (open during performances only). Groups of 10 or more will receive discounts by calling 215-790-5883 or 866-276-2947. Performances include: Thursday – Saturday evening at 8 p.m.; Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m.; matinees Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 2 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m.